Some of the most common injuries resulting from trucking accidents in Fort Lauderdale include traumatic brain injuries (TBI), broken bones, burns, spinal cord injuries, and amputations. These injuries can require victims to undergo extensive, sometimes even lifelong, care as well as take extended leave off work. Some may not be able to return to work altogether.
If you sustained injuries in a crash involving a big rig, a Fort Lauderdale truck accident lawyer can help you seek compensation for your injuries and other losses. They could help you access top-notch medical care and schedule related appointments.
Common Injuries Suffered In Truck Accidents
The magnitude of truck accidents makes those involved susceptible to various serious injuries. These are some of the most commonly sustained injuries.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
A TBI results from a sudden blow or jolt to the head, per the Mayo Clinic. It has three levels of seriousness: mild, moderate, and severe. Mild cases cause temporary damage to brain cells, whereas those that fall into the severe category tend to lead to long-lasting complications or death.
TBI symptoms can overlap across ranges of severity:
- Headaches
- Fatigue or dizziness
- Slurred speech
- Nausea or vomiting
- Problems with memory and coordination
- Loss of consciousness
- Sleeping problems
- Mood swings
Any TBI requires immediate medical attention.
Broken Bones
The Cleveland Clinic states that broken bones, also referred to as bone fractures, are typical results of truck accidents. There are many types of fractures, and a doctor will diagnose yours based on its pattern, cause, and body part.
You may have a broken bone if you’re experiencing swelling, tenderness, bruising or discoloration, pain, or an unusual deformity in the affected area.
Burn Injuries
Truck accident victims can experience a burn injury due to:
- Contact with hot metal (e.g., overheated vehicle parts)
- Chemical exposure (e.g., the involved truck released hazardous materials or substances)
- Friction
- Fires or explosions (e.g., fuel or other flammable items ignited)
A mild burn can heal with over-the-counter medication and cold compresses. On the other hand, a second- or third-degree burn needs prompt medical attention. A skin graft might even be necessary.
Spinal Cord Injuries
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) describes a spinal cord injury as damage to the bundle of nerve fibers that comprise the spinal cord. There are two types of spinal cord injuries:
- Complete: The spinal cord cannot send nerve signals below the injury site, so the victim suffers a total loss of sensation, function, and muscle control in the affected areas.
- Incomplete: The spinal cord can send some nerve signals, so only some sensation, function, and muscle control are lost below the injury site.
The following symptoms may indicate a spinal cord injury:
- Loss of movement or weakness
- Problems with breathing
- Sexual dysfunction
- Pain in the head, back, or neck
- Numbness or tingling in hands and feet
- Trouble walking
- Loss of bowel or bladder control
A physician may run an MRI study, CT scan, or X-rays if they suspect you have sustained a spinal cord injury. Depending on how serious it is, you may need physical therapy, adaptive equipment, prosthetics, or a wheelchair.
Amputation
A sharp edge or sudden pressure may sever a victim’s extremities in a truck accident. In more serious cases, they may lose their leg or arm from metal debris. Moreover, if someone sustains a crush injury to a limb in a truck accident, the damage may be so extensive that the doctor decides to amputate it. Amputation may also be appropriate for a victim at risk of infection or gangrene.
Sometimes, reattachment is possible after a body part undergoes repair. Otherwise, the victim may require a prosthetic, wheelchair, scooter, or crutches to adapt to their new way of life.
Damages You Could Recover After In A Truck Accident In Fort Lauderdale
Many truck accident victims wonder how much their case is worth, but it all comes down to their unique circumstances. There’s no average settlement amount, and your personal injury attorney won’t know what a fair settlement would be without reviewing the details of your situation.
Having said that, many truck accident victims recover these losses in their claim or lawsuit:
- Loss of income
- Future loss of earning capacity
- Past and projected medical care expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
- Mental anguish
- Disfigurement and scarring
The size and weight of big rigs make them especially dangerous in accidents. They sometimes take the lives of those involved. If your loved one didn’t survive their truck accident injuries, a Fort Lauderdale wrongful death lawyer can request compensation for your loss of companionship, support, guidance, and final medical care and funeral costs.
Seeking Prompt Medical Care After A Fort Lauderdale Truck Accident
We cannot stress enough the importance of immediate medical attention after a truck accident—even if you think you’re uninjured. Severe injuries, such as concussions or internal bleeding, may not show symptoms until days after the crash. The longer you go without seeing a doctor, the worse the injury can get.
Whether you seek treatment at the hospital or your regular doctor’s office, the physician will begin treating you right away and may direct you to others who can provide more specialized care.
On top of ensuring you receive care, going to the doctor right after the commercial truck crash will support your claim against the other party. It will show the insurance company that you sought care because of the effects of their policyholder’s negligence.
Get Responsive Legal Help From Our Fort Lauderdale Truck Accident Lawyers
If you suffered injuries in a truck accident in Fort Lauderdale, the team at the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine is committed to maximizing your compensation. You worry about getting better. We take care of everything else.
Contact our team to discuss taking back control of your life after suffering an injury in a trucking accident in Fort Lauderdale or anywhere in Broward County. The initial call is free, and we work on contingency.
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